CHASSELL TOWNSHIP — A boat was freed without damage after it was stranded in the Portage Canal Saturday evening.

The Marine Patrol of the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched at 5:50 p.m. Saturday to free the boat, which was stranded on a sandbar in the Portage Canal next to the mouth of the Sturgeon River.

A 67-year-old Atlantic Mine man was operating the boat, police said.

Houghton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were assisted by Chassell Fire and Rescue.